Calypso

The Story of Percy - Part 3

Night. I tried to think of how long it's been since Percy came, but I couldn't. I wanted to throw something in frustration.
Percy suddenly emerged from the cave. He stares out at the skies.
"Percy, what do you see?"
He looked down at me. After a few seconds, he managed, "I was just looking at... Uh... I forgot."
I laughed a little. "Well, as long as you're up, you can help me plant these."
I retrieved my small spade and started digging. I handed him a small flower, and he stared at it stupidly.
"That's moonlace," I explained. "It can only be planted at night."
He looked at it for a few more seconds, and I turned back to my patch of ground. "What does it do?"
I glanced at a bushel of moonlace. "Do? It doesn't really do anything, I suppose. It lives, it gives light, it provides beauty. Does it have to do anything else?"
"I suppose not."
After firmly pressing the dirt around my first stem, I reached out for the one he was holding. Our hands touched for a moment. I quickly planted the final stem and stood back, admiring my work.
"I love my garden," I murmured.
"It's awesome," he agreed. "Back home, my mom always wanted a garden."
"Why did she not plant one?"
"Well, we live in Manhattan. In an apartment."
"Manhattan? Apartment?" The words felt strange on my tongue, and I wasn't entirely sure that I pronounced them the same way he did.
He stared at me. I tried not to feel awkward. "You don't know what I'm talking about, do you?"
"I fear not. I haven't left Ogygia in..." I waited for a second, then gave up. I couldn't remember the number of years. "A long time."
"Well, Manhattan's a big city, with not much gardening space."
I frowned. "That is sad. Hermes visits from time to time. He tells me the world outside has changed greatly. I did not realize it had changed so greatly you cannot have gardens."
"Why haven't you left your island?"
I looked down and tried to shove away the pang of hurt. "It is my punishment."
"Why? What did you do?"
"I? Nothing. But my father did a great deal. His name is Atlas."
As expected, I noticed the shiver. Everyone knew Atlas. No one liked him. This was the moment when he shoved me away and begged to leave.
"Still," he said hesitantly, slowly. "It's not fair to punish you for what your father's done. I knew another daughter of Atlas. Her name was Zoe. She was one of the bravest people I've ever met."
I just stared at him, stunned.
"What is it?" he finally asked.
"Are--are you healed yet, brave one? Do you think you'll be ready to leave soon?" I tried not to choke as I spoke. I knew that this wouldn't work. He had to leave. I didn't want another heartbreak, but I'd get one anyway. Might as well suffer it sooner rather than later.
"What? I don't know." He moved his legs stiffly. "You want me to go?" he asked softly.
"I..." my voice cracked. I forced my heart to back off and continued. "I'll see you in the morning. Sleep well."
I ran towards the beach, hoping that some cold air and frigid water could clear my head.